Things to do
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Congo Nile Trail
Running the length of Lake Kivu from Rubavu to Rusizi, this route follows dirt tracks through banana terraces, coffee villages and steep inlets, with Kibuye roughly at its midpoint. Cyclists take about five days, walkers closer to ten, and shorter sections work as day rides. Bikes and guides are arranged in the lake towns. Gradients are relentless and the surface is rough.
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Lake Kivu
One of Africa's great rift lakes fills the border with Congo. Swimming is safe along the Kibuye shore, with no crocodiles, hippos or bilharzia in the water. Fishermen sing to keep time on three-hulled boats at dawn and dusk, and boat trips, island picnics and kayaking fill the days. Afternoon storms build quickly in the rainy months, so crossings are made early.
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Napoleon Island
Named for a hat-like outline, this green hump in Lake Kivu is a short boat ride from Kibuye and climbable in half an hour on a grass path. Thousands of fruit bats hang in the trees on the far side and lift off in a mass when disturbed. Cows graze the summit. Boatmen wait while visitors walk, and the trip pairs well with a swim.
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Nyungwe Forest National Park
Montane rainforest covers the hills south of Kibuye, home to chimpanzees, a dozen other primate species and a canopy walkway strung above a ravine. Chimp tracking starts before dawn and sightings are not guaranteed, while colobus troops are easier to find. The lake road down is slow and scenic, so most visitors stay inside the park. Rain falls in most months of the year, and the trails stay slick.